Rutgers has always been perceived as one the top contenders for Lancine Turay, a 6-6, 238-pound three-star defensive end/offensive tackle out of Irvington (N.J.). And that still appears to be the case as Turay has visited campus multiple times, and is the younger brother of senior defensive end Kemoko Turay.

But according to the rising senior, things aren't quite that simple.

"The familiarity doesn't hurt but I don't know if I would call it a edge," Turay told NJ.com. " Ninety percent of the time when I go to Rutgers I go to spend time with my bother. I don't really take time to analyze the program unless it's an actual visit."

However, Rutgers is certainly one of the main teams in the mix, he admits.

"Rutgers is in strong consideration alongside a few others schools," he said. "I don't have a list yet but if I did they'd be on it."

Turay has yet to really delve into the recruiting process but plans to make some hard decisions within the next week.

"I haven't really been thinking about about it because I've been preparing for a championship run," he said. "But I have a week off before camp and I will take that opportunity to talk to my coaches and family to iron out a plan moving forward."

Turay has taken multiple visits throughout the off-season, although it's unclear whether those treks have brought him closer to a pledge.

"I went to NC state for a camp recently," he said. "And I visited North Carolina, Old Dominion, Virginia, UConn, Syracuse and a few others."

But the main schools thought to be in play are Rutgers, Syracuse, N.C. State, Minnesota and Louisville, with N.C. State -- the school teammate Jasiah Provillon is currently committed to -- being Rutgers' biggest hurdle.

Turay was offered by Rutgers as a defensive end, but is also being recruited as an offensive tackle. He exploded in 2016 with improved play on both sides of the ball, but is still new to the game and developing.

Turay has overcome a number of obstacles just to play the gridiron sport. Up until the end of his freshman year, he lived in Georgia with his mother, where it was tough to make football a reality. But an opportunity to play presented itself when he moved to Irvington prior to his sophomore year.

Rutgers was the fourth program to offer Turay, despite being involved with him since he touched down in N.J. Syracuse was first to offer in December, followed by Maryland, UMass and then Rutgers. Turay now holds a total of 12 offers, and is currently ranked the No. 18 player in the NJ.com Top 50.